DISTRIBUTION OF NUTRIENTS IN SHATT AL-ARAB ESTUARY.

N
SHATT AL-ARAB ESTUARY.
MASSOUD A. H. SAAD
Oceanography Department, Faculty of Science. Alexandria University.
ABSTRACT
The seasonal distribution of nutrients in the Euphrates
and Tigris estuary (Sahht Al-Arab) was investigated and
discussed. The increase in nitrate and nitrite concentrations
is due principally to the discharge of sewage and industrial
wastes, as well as the waters of the feeding rivers mainly
Karun. Very high phosphate concentrations found in some
bottom samples coincided with the decay of phytoplankton
and the release of phosphate from the sediments, sewage
wastes and runoff from cultivated lands. The increase in
silicate content, especially in the bottom samples at some
locations, is due mainly to the decline of diatoms and
the increase in the rate of dissolution of ditom frustules
1n the sediments. Nonbiological factors seem to greatlY
affect the content of nutrients in Shatt AI-Arab.